Health

Discovering anaemia at child health clinics

Article Abstract:

Iron deficiency anemia is commonly found in toddlers. Late weaning, use of ordinary cow's milk, and weaning to a diet low in iron are among the dietary causes. This form of anemia may result in recurrent mild infections, poor weight gain, behavioral problems, and decreased mental performance. All of these effects can be improved with iron therapy. Routine screening for iron deficiency anemia should be performed in all toddlers. Routine blood sampling, however, may not be acceptable by parents. The feasibility of a screening program that uses an estimation of hemoglobin (the iron-containing pigment of red blood cells) was studied, as was the acceptability to parents of screening their toddlers. Furthermore, the incidence of anemia in the community was assessed. A total of 92 children aged 15 to 24 months seen at three health clinics for routine immunizations, and an additional 58 recruited children were studied during a six-month period. Severity of anemia was assessed in 33 anemic children and categorization of the children according to their ethnic origins revealed that 17 Asian children and 16 non-Asian children were anemic. There was no difference in the incidence of anemia between white and Afro-Caribbean subgroups. Fingerprick blood sampling was considered by parents as an acceptable testing method. In addition, parents often requested that older siblings and other children not coming to the clinic for immunizations be tested. The natural history of iron deficiency anemia in children is not understood; however, routine testing and treatment is necessary. Estimation of hemoglobin concentration by fingerprick is possible and recommended in the community setting. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Surveillance for anaemia: risk factors in patterns of milk intake

Article Abstract:

Anemia is the condition in which there is a reduction in the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to body cells. In developing countries, a dietary deficiency of iron is likely to be the most common cause of anemia in children. A study was designed to relate habits of milk consumption to the occurrence of anemia among 8- to 24-month-old children. The program, conducted in London, was presented to parents of children who were receiving immunizations, and the parents of 75 girls and 73 boys agreed to participate. Initially, a survey was completed detailing age, race, family history of anemia, dietary habits, and type and amount of milk consumed daily, including whether and when cows' milk was introduced to the child's diet. A blood sample was collected from the child's finger and analyzed for hemoglobin content (hemoglobin, the iron-containing substance in red blood cells, is used as an index of anemia). The results revealed that: Asian children drank more milk than any other ethnic group; children older than 18 months drank mostly cows' milk; and children taking formula had higher concentrations of hemoglobin than children on cows' or breast milk. Anemia was present in 33 children (22 percent), and was more frequent among nonwhite groups. No child on formula was anemic. Anemia was more common in infants who were given cows' milk earlier in life. However, total daily milk intake was not correlated with hemoglobin level. It is recommended that iron-fortified formula be used to protect against anemia, and that more widespread screening for iron-deficiency be instituted in neighborhoods with a large number of immigrants. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health care of American children

Article Abstract:

Trends in child health are usually compared among countries in terms of infant mortality rates and other measures. Differences are usually attributed to nutrition and public health policies, while the effectiveness of health services tends not to be considered. However, deterioration of the US's position compared to other countries in areas such as immunization, post-neonatal infant mortality rates, unintentional injury rates, and care of children with special health needs resulted in a conference sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which looked deeply at American performance. In all four areas, the US compared unfavorably with other developed countries. Inadequate health insurance and the rising cost of vaccines are thought to contribute to decreased vaccination rates. Diversity of health care provision within the US, related to autonomy of the states, results in a wider range of medical service quality. Perhaps the most appropriate comparisons are those between the US and Canada, where equitable access to medical care is considered essential to the integrity of a fair and just society. The AAP report recommends that the USA should move toward the Canadian type of regulated system of universal health care. Action is needed in almost all the countries to close the gap between medical care provided to the rich and that for poor and underprivileged groups. Nevertheless, children in the USA and other developed countries are much more fortunate than those in most parts of the world, where malnutrition, disease, and death are all too common. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)